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Ancient_and_modern_York_a_guide

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MOliEEN YOEK. 109<br />

old baile, with nine towers to Micklegate Bar; <strong>and</strong> between<br />

it <strong>and</strong> North-street postern ten towers ; the postern was<br />

opposite to the tower at Lendal to draw the chain over the<br />

river between them."<br />

In the siege of <strong>York</strong> by the parliamentarian army, in<br />

1644, the walls were much injured. Breaches were<br />

made in several places, <strong>and</strong> in almost all quarters the<br />

effects of the furious cannonading were visible. In 1645,<br />

it is true, some efforts were made to repair the walls ; <strong>and</strong><br />

in 1648, Micklegate, Walmgate, <strong>and</strong> Bootham Bars were<br />

also repaired ; but such was their dilapidated state in the<br />

year 1719, that Torr, whose work on the antiquities of<br />

the city was published in that year, says, " But all<br />

things here are subject to time <strong>and</strong> change ! The not<br />

long since devouring civil war, <strong>and</strong> unnatural rebellion,<br />

as it made prodigious waste in this kingdom, it had most<br />

malignant effects <strong>and</strong> influences on this ancient <strong>and</strong> loyal<br />

city, as its surrender to the then irresistable force of the<br />

rebel army had on the whole nation ; <strong>and</strong> ever since that<br />

fatal epocha, its gr<strong>and</strong>eur has gradually declined <strong>and</strong><br />

sunk." In the year 1831, however, a vigorous effort<br />

was made to raise funds for their restoration. The corpor<br />

ation voted one hundred pounds, <strong>and</strong> by the active exertions<br />

of several noblemen <strong>and</strong> gentlemen, a considerable sum<br />

was raised. The lady mayoress, Mrs. Oldfield, set on<br />

foot a subscription among the ladies ; <strong>and</strong> the fair<br />

daughters of <strong>York</strong> responded with becoming public spirit<br />

to the call made upon them, to testify their regard for<br />

these venerable historical monuments that give so peculiar<br />

a character to the city. The entire restoration of the walls<br />

from North-street Postern to Micklegate Bar was effected<br />

at a cost of £1,067 17s. Gd; <strong>and</strong> from that bar again to<br />

Skeldergate Postern, at an expense of £1,725 Is. 6c?. They<br />

completely encompass that part of the city which is situated<br />

on the western side of the river Ouse ; <strong>and</strong> now form a<br />

most delightful walk ; comm<strong>and</strong>ing, on one side, a view of<br />

the south part of <strong>York</strong> Minster, Clifford's Tower, ths<br />

x

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